For WPEA, the Session is Everything
It is more important than ever for state employees to be both informed and engaged with the 2026 Budget Session. Recent actions by members of the Legislature showcase a desire to cut spending at the expense of public employees.
Compensation
During the January meeting of the Joint Appropriations Committee (JAC), Representative Smith (H05 - Goshen) made a motion to amend the budget bill, cutting all funds dedicated to increasing state employee compensation. The proposed amendment was adopted by a majority vote, with the vast majority of the support coming from the Wyoming Freedom Caucus. As of the beginning of the session, there is no amount of funds appropriated to state employees, with the justification that it would be "unnecessary" due to "sizeable" pay increases in the past few years. While their distorted idea of how "good" state employees have it does not match up with reality, it is a fact that many members of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus are choosing to ignore. WPEA is working to ensure that the everyday challenges that state employees face are being addressed by those who have the power to fix them.
K-12 School Block Grant
Over the summer and through the fall, WPEA staff attended the meeting of the School Recalibration Committee. The main business of the committee was to appropriate funds to K-12 public schools for district operating expenses, including employee salaries. As the association representing the Custodial, Nutrition Services, and TSS units of Laramie County School District No. 1, we are fighting for compensation increases and healthy staffing levels for all classified employees. Unfortunately, the end product of the committee, with a great deal of Freedom Caucus influence, is going in the wrong direction. The compensation increases are minimal and inconsistent across occupations, and whatever increase in take-home pay will likely be eaten up by increases in another area: insurance premiums. The committee is also recommending that all district employees be forced to move to the state health insurance plan. For LCSD1 Classified Staff, this means that the percentage of your personal contribution to your health insurance will increase from 8% to 18%. This means less money in your pocket at the end of the day. WPEA is working to protect the benefits that hardworking district employees negotiated and advocated for.
Retirement Benefits
As a member of the Wyoming Coalition for a Healthy Retirement (WCHR), WPEA is closely tuned into legislative issues affecting retirees. In coordination with WCHR, we are closely monitoring discussion about changes to retirement contributions and structure. While a formal bill has not been submitted (as of February 6th, 2026), the uncertain status of the subject is cause for WPEA to continue monitoring this subject matter. Updates will be posted in the event of a bill.
STAY TUNED FOR WEEKLY UPDATES HERE
Contact Your Legislators
Let your representatives know that they answer to public employees in their communities. Don't know who your local legislator is? You can use the link here to find out! PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS DURING WORK HOURS OR WITH STATE/LCSD1 EQUIPMENT!